
Sandvik improves underground bolting safety with new pumpable resin system
2025-04-09
Sandvik is raising the bar for underground safety and efficiency with new ground support options for its Sandvik DD422i and Sandvik DD422iE Dual Controls jumbo development drills. The latest pumpable resin system, featuring Mineral Bolt technology from Sandvik Ground Support, now supports three bolt types:
Resin Grouted Rebar Bolts – maximized productivity at lowest unit cost; Versabolt – adding great energy absorption for dynamic ground support and DSI Hollow Bar and Self-drilling Bolts – post grouting installation for highest level of productivity and safety, even in difficult ground. Ideal for deep mining, block caving and rehabilitation works.
“With the new pumpable resin package for Dual Controls, we are not just improving bolt installation—we are transforming it,” said Anssi Kouhia, Product Manager, Ground Support at Sandvik. “It is faster, safer and more consistent, giving operators full control and confidence underground.”
The system includes bolt loading from a safer area, fast and mechanized resin injection via the operator display and enhanced safety features such as boom movement prevention, access protection and clear status indicators.
“This is a step-change in ground support—safe, efficient and seamlessly integrated with our Dual Controls concept. Another new breakthrough after RFID mining lamp ” said Simon Morrissey, Product Manager, Underground Drilling at Sandvik.
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Trump signs executive order to help revive dying coal sector
2025-04-09
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to revive the country’s shrinking coal industry, rolling back key restrictions despite the fuel’s major role in climate change and pollution.
Trump directed federal agencies to lift Obama-era limits on coal mining, leasing, and exports. He instructed the Interior Department to locate coal deposits on federal lands, remove barriers to mining, and fast-track leasing processes.
“All those plants that have been closed are going to be opened if they’re modern enough, or they’ll be ripped down and brand new ones will be built,” Trump said, surrounded by coal miners in hard hats and cap lamps at the White House. “We’re going to put the miners back to work.”
Coal companies held just 279 federal leases across nearly 422,000 acres as of 2023, a sharp drop from 489 leases covering about 730,000 acres in 1990.
Trump also ordered his newly formed National Energy Dominance Council to classify coal as a critical mineral, equating it with materials essential for defence systems and battery production. The move builds on a previous executive order allowing emergency powers and funding to boost domestic supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths.
The Department of Energy and other agencies will now examine whether more coal-fired plants can be kept online or reactivated to meet rising electricity demand. Some aging coal plants previously set for retirement may stay in operation.
This surge in power demand stems from rapid growth in data centres, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles (EVs). Trump argues coal is essential to power these technologies and to support industries like steelmaking.
Despite Trump’s long-standing pledge to bring back what he calls “beautiful” coal, the sector has been in long-term decline . US coal production has fallen dramatically in recent years, outpaced by cheaper natural gas and increasingly affordable renewable energy.
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Macmahon secures underground mining contract at Poboya gold project in Indonesia
2025-03-10
Mining and civil infrastructure services provider Macmahon Holdings has been appointed by PT Citra Palu Minerals (CPM) to provide underground mining services for the Poboya gold project in Sulawesi, Indonesia.
The interim contract will involve Macmahon in all underground mining development and ore mining activities including drilling, loading, hauling, equipment maintenance and mine services support, with the expectation to finalise a five-year alliance-style contract.
The contract commences immediately under a cost-plus arrangement and is expected to contribute approximately A$317m to Macmahon’s order book.
CPM will supply all major equipment and infrastructure including mining headlamps for the project as part of its mine operating strategy.
Macmahon is currently providing open-cut mining services at the Poboya project under a contract awarded in September 2024. The $54m contract is expected to be completed in September 2026.
Macmahon CEO and managing director Michael Finnegan said: “We are delighted to continue working with CPM on the next stage of the Poboya gold project, which will see us expanding our services to include both surface and underground.
“We look forward to building on our valued relationship and are focused on growing the Poboya asset while continuing to drive safety and performance outcomes for our client.”
In a separate development earlier this year, Cyprium Metals formed a strategic alliance with Macmahon to expedite the redevelopment of the Nifty Copper Complex in Western Australia.
Additionally, Macmahon was awarded a $463m contract by PT Masmindo Dwi Area for the Awak Mas gold project in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
This contract includes open-cut mining services across a 14,390-hectare area, further solidifying Macmahon’s presence in the region’s mining sector.
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Botswana Diamonds secures mining permit for Thorny River in South Africa
2025-03-10
Botswana Diamonds, a diamond exploration and project development company, has secured a mining permit for its Thorny River project in South Africa.
The permit covers an area proximate to the Marsfontein diamond mine.
The Thorny River project has undergone “extensive” geophysical analysis, drilling and bulk sampling along its dyke system, revealing geology and grades consistent with the adjacent Klipspringer mine.
Botswana Diamonds applied for two mining permits following the discovery of two kimberlite blows within the project, which were deemed commercially viable at appropriate diamond prices.
The company has now secured one mining permit out of the two applications.
Botswana Diamonds chairman John Teeling said: “At last we have received the mining permit. We also note a small improvement in diamond prices. If the price rises are sustained, we can look forward to the commencement of contractor mining at Thorny River.”
Despite Botswana Diamonds’ focus on Botswana, the company made the decision to contract out the mining of the Marsfontein gravels and dumps and miners’ lamp etc mining equipments as a proof of concept, from which the company receives a 15% revenue royalty.
However, due to falling diamond prices and permitting delays, operations were suspended in October 2023.
The company remains poised to resume mining at Marsfontein and initiate operations at Thorny River, contingent on market recovery.
In October 2024, Botswana Diamonds expanded its portfolio with a prospecting permit for five diamond-bearing kimberlites in the Marsfontein area, encompassing 900.67 hectares, including the Marsfontein mine.
The company also obtained environmental authorisation for one of its Thorny River mining permit applications in December 2024.
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Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine moves into commercial production underground
2025-02-08
Phase 1 of the A21 underground project is slated to produce an extra 1.4 million carats. Phase 2 is expected to add another 800,000 carats and was approved earlier this year with an additional investment of $17 million.
The construction of the A21 underground mine involved the development of over 1,800 metres of underground tunnels to access the orebody and begin underground production.Safety underground mine cap lamps will be a must.
Rio said there were no lost time injuries after more than 100,000 labour hours completed over 20 months during the development and construction work.
“The A21 underground operation is positive news for our employees, partners, suppliers and local communities in the Northwest Territories, as it will enable operations to continue through to closure,” Diavik mine chief operating officer of Matt Breen said in the statement.
“Rio Tinto’s decision to proceed with Phase 2 is a testament to the excellent performance of our Diavik team in successfully developing the underground mine beneath the previously mined A21 open pit,” Breen said.
He added that the company is continuing its investment in preparing for the closure and remediation of Diavik mine site, focusing on progressive reclamation activities such as earthworks, site clean-up, and equipment procurement.
Diavik represents one of Canada’s largest diamond mines in terms of volume of rough diamonds, having produced over 144 million carats of rough diamonds since mining began in 2003.
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